Review: Cake Sugar Candy Everyday No Wire Bra

I really wanted to subtitle this post 'In Which My Wire-free Dreams are Crushed To Dust - Again'...but I ran out of space. 

I had high hopes for this one. Cake is a maternity brand from Australia and they do lots of small-to-regular band sizes, and large cup sizes. They also have great names, all based on confections. The Sugar Candy is the only non-maternity bra they make. Based on the photos, which are helpfully shown on an actual curvy, full-busted model, I thought it really might work. 

(Hint: keep your eye on the shoulder/strap area. No digging, no hint of problems, right?)

 

Structure

It is a lot like the usual comfort/leisure Bali-esque bralette, but with a good deal more structure. True, it is a stretchy nylon/microfiber fabric without actual cups. But - the fabric is thicker, and the interior has a sling/shelf made of soft padded fabric, so it is far more substantial and supportive than the usual stretchy leisure bra.

The sling seems like it would be a great way to add lift and support, without wires.

And you would expect that it would give a rounded shape...but you would be so very wrong.

 Shape & Fit

Here is how the Sugar Candy looks on me. For reference, I am similar in size to the model above, perhaps a 1/2 cup larger. But likely not similar in shape.

Yeahhhh, that sling is doing my boobs no favors. It is reminiscent of the boob-in-a-bag shape I achieved with the Breast Nest though certainly less extreme. I imagine in order for the sling/shelf to give the nice round-mound shape the model is getting, you would need to have wider, far less projected boobs than I do. 

Some angles look a bit better. 

Like this one. 

And if the bra were actually comfy, this would not be a deal breaker.

 

Although the profile view is pretty lackluster, it's not actually downward drooping...much.

And at least the sides are nice and low, while still being substantial and supportive.  

Comfort

Ah, here we are. Now we are in deal breaker country. 

Straps. i.e., Are you f**king kidding me?!  They are appalling. Just regular, on the thin side, bra straps. They are not restricted stretch and they are a rough fabric that I imagine is meant to be grippy, but just feels like sandpaper. But they are in no way equipped to deal with the weight of actual boobs. The digging in was immediate - and actually immediately painful. 

Note: my shoulders are not super-fleshy; they're broad, a little bony at the edges, and have a fair amount of muscle on the tops. I hate to think how these straps would feel on softer, fleshy shoulders. Pretty much like dental floss cutting through your skin, I would think, based on how they feel on mine. None of the pics I have seen of this bra show even a hint of digging, & I'm not sure how that's possible.

The straps are correctly adjusted - neither too tight, nor too loose. 


The band of the bra is the correct size for me: snug and sitting properly horizontal around my back.

I cannot emphasize enough how awful these straps are. 

They are far beyond mere discomfort, such as a Curvy Kate strap with sharp edges, that, if determined, you can semi-ignore.

They actually hurt. The harsh texture, but most especially, the cutting in. 


This pic of my shoulder was taken after having the Sugar Candy on my body for less than 5 minutes. 

When Do I Wear It?

This one makes me sad as I had hoped it would be a real option for an everyday bra. But there is just no way. For this price point of $60 I would expect better engineering along with the nice cup fabric. There is a real need for this type of bra in large cup sizes and it is a complete gap in the market. To be fair, if you have skin that is not at all sensitive, and you are a small(ish) cup size, say, an E or F, and you have a shallow shape, perhaps this would be a great option...? I don't know.

I am coming to the conclusion that something better than the Bali Comfort Revolution Wirefree simply may not exist. Recently, I was slightly alarmed when I went to buy another. There is a new version with foam-lined cups and it is not big boob friendly. The foam does not stretch and so reduces the cup capacity drastically. I am now going to stockpile the original version since the minor quibble I have with the strap seems even more minor now, by comparison.   

Size: XL  per the size chart, fits 36H-38GG, which is quite accurate. 

For this style, the sizing is much more specific than the usual, which is great. Sizing tops out at an XXL (38H-42G) and begins at XS (30F-GG)

Review: Comfort Choice Cotton Everyday Wireless Full-Coverage Bra

Nutshell: A good, if unlikely, contender for a cotton, wire-free, wear it out of the house, option. And a bargain at $15.
 
I was familiar with this bra from years back. It's the much better designed cousin of this bra.

 Beauty

Not beauty, so much as fun. Loads of colors and prints. I opted for Violet Blossom.

Comfort

Fabric.  100% cotton. That's it. No spandex, no polyester, no nylon. Just a substantial cotton knit that is soft against the skin and very breathable. The only slight irritation I experience is from the seams beneath the piping running along the upper cup, but the seams across the boobs cause no irritation.

Band.   Quite deep and stable. Three-hooks, widely spaced. 

Straps.  On the thin side, they are center-pull, made of reinforced cotton in front, and connect to a regular stretchy bra strap in the back; no evil ring connectors. A wider design would be a nice upgrade.

Fit & Shape

Cups.  The whole design is very retro. The cups have full-on horizontal seams - something I normally avoid like the plague - but this bra is an exception. 

The shape is surprisingly good! 

I'm not quite sure why the seams work in this case, but they do. 

The shape is very rounded, and is not causing the usual pointy horribleness that happens when full-on-top boobs meet horizontal seams. 

 

    

It actually makes my boobs 
look like they are a balanced shape. 

The top of the cup is a single layer of cotton knit, with the bottom being a double layer. 

The wrinkling is not due to any looseness, but is just the result of what 100% cotton does, when not infused with spandex. 

The sides are nice & low, too.

The shape under clothing is pretty decent, certainly an acceptable shape to wear out of the house, & much better than the Natori Glance.
 

This is a thin cotton T-shirt & I really did not expect the Everyday bra to give this shape.

I'm very pleasantly surprised.

As a wirefree style, it can't give real separation, but it does not actively smoosh the boobs together as many styles do.

I am fine wearing this out & about. I also didn't think it would work under a low-V neckline like this since the gore is pretty tall....

.........but it does.

When Do I Wear It?

Pretty much anytime I want. This bra feels substantial on the body. It is not a lightweight, airy, super stretchy fit like the Glance. It is comfy, but in a different way. It's rare to find a bra that is 100%cotton-knit. And does not come in just frumpy white. It is definitely supportive enough for work. It's not as comfy as a Bali bralette, but it works well as a hybrid weekend bra: when I'm wearing jeans & T's, and alternately puttering in the garden and running errands.

Size: 42DDD (US)

Sizing notes: The cups run generous and the bands quite tight. This sister-sizes to a 38G (UK) or a 38H (US), but actually fits me like a 38GG (UK) or a 38I (US). The size range is huge, from 38-54, B-G. In reality, it's more like 34-50, C-J.
 

Review: Comfort Choice Cotton Everyday Wireless Full-Coverage Bra

Nutshell: A good, if unlikely, contender for a cotton, wire-free, wear it out of the house, option. And a bargain at $15.
 
I was familiar with this bra from years back. It's the much better designed cousin of this bra.

 Beauty

Not beauty, so much as fun. Loads of colors and prints. I opted for Violet Blossom.

Comfort

Fabric.  100% cotton. That's it. No spandex, no polyester, no nylon. Just a substantial cotton knit that is soft against the skin and very breathable. The only slight irritation I experience is from the seams beneath the piping running along the upper cup, but the seams across the boobs cause no irritation.

Band.   Quite deep and stable. Three-hooks, widely spaced. 

Straps.  On the thin side, they are center-pull, made of reinforced cotton in front, and connect to a regular stretchy bra strap in the back; no evil ring connectors. A wider design would be a nice upgrade.

Fit & Shape

Cups.  The whole design is very retro. The cups have full-on horizontal seams - something I normally avoid like the plague - but this bra is an exception. 

The shape is surprisingly good! 

I'm not quite sure why the seams work in this case, but they do. 

The shape is very rounded, and is not causing the usual pointy horribleness that happens when full-on-top boobs meet horizontal seams. 

 

    

It actually makes my boobs 
look like they are a balanced shape. 

The top of the cup is a single layer of cotton knit, with the bottom being a double layer. 

The wrinkling is not due to any looseness, but is just the result of what 100% cotton does, when not infused with spandex. 

The sides are nice & low, too.

The shape under clothing is pretty decent, certainly an acceptable shape to wear out of the house, & much better than the Natori Glance.
 

This is a thin cotton T-shirt & I really did not expect the Everyday bra to give this shape.

I'm very pleasantly surprised.

As a wirefree style, it can't give real separation, but it does not actively smoosh the boobs together as many styles do.

I am fine wearing this out & about. I also didn't think it would work under a low-V neckline like this since the gore is pretty tall....

.........but it does.

When Do I Wear It?

Pretty much anytime I want. This bra feels substantial on the body. It is not a lightweight, airy, super stretchy fit like the Glance. It is comfy, but in a different way. It's rare to find a bra that is 100%cotton-knit. And does not come in just frumpy white. It is definitely supportive enough for work. It's not as comfy as a Bali bralette, but it works well as a hybrid weekend bra: when I'm wearing jeans & T's, and alternately puttering in the garden and running errands.

Size: 42DDD (US)

Sizing notes: The cups run generous and the bands quite tight. This sister-sizes to a 38G (UK) or a 38H (US), but actually fits me like a 38GG (UK) or a 38I (US). The size range is huge, from 38-54, B-G. In reality, it's more like 34-50, C-J.
 

Review: Kindred Bravely Soft French Terry Sleep Bra

This is a bralette aimed at maternity wear. So a good bet for softer fabrics and lots of stretch. A bargain at around $20.

 Beauty

For a practical sleep bralette, it is quite pretty. It comes in this pale pink as well as the ubiquitous beige & black. I'm a sucker for the crossover styling. In theory. 

Comfort

The fabric is really nice. French terry is, as I understand it, a thicker cotton material with a flatter finish and the very minimal 'loopy' quality of terrycloth. This just feels like a substantial, very soft, cotton knit.

The straps are nice and wide and are also racer-back to spread the weight. Wasn't sure if I'd like the pressure near my neck, but it's fine and doesn't cause any irritation.  

Fit

The cup capacity is small, especially for a maternity-aimed style. 

There are regular sizes, and also 'Busty' sizes. I opted for an XL-Busty, which per their size chart, fits a 38E - 40G (US). On me, it fits like a 38F/G. 

The crossover style is - as always, for some reason - right over left. That means that my larger right boob is allowed to make a break for freedom, when it actually could use the greater containment that lefty is getting. 

The band is quite snug. I'd say it could work for 36-40 bands. The straps are very stretchy and would be much improved by tweaking the design to be double-layered or restricted stretch. They do not prevent bounce and really reduce the support. 

The shape under clothing is pretty relaxed. I've worn it out of the house under a loose woven cotton tunic where shape & lift aren't essential. It doesn't really give enough support for comfort and containment, the way that the Bali Comfort Wirefree and Leading Lady cami bralette do. (The former, I'll wear out of the house and feel quite comfy.)

Compromises

Scratchy, uncomfy seams. There is no way I could wear this without flipping it inside-out. The seam joining the band to the cups is pretty harsh and rugged. This is just not a seam I can tolerate on sensitive under-boob skin:

Crossover design/cup capacity. Looks nice on smaller cup sizes, but realistically, it's not a match with F+. Especially when combined with the lack of projection in the cup shape (those very shallow gathers don't allow for much expansion) and the overly stretchy straps. 

When Do I Wear It?

For lounging around the house under my jim-jams. It does provide enough support & separation to improve comfort and for some, it could be a good choice as a sleep bra for PMS swelling, especially if you are full-on-bottom and like a snug band. But because of the band style of snug, thick, continuous elastic, I'd be more inclined to opt for the Bali Comfort Revolution Bralette with its soft, minimal knit-in band.
Size: XL-Busty

Review: Kindred Bravely Soft French Terry Sleep Bra

This is a bralette aimed at maternity wear. So a good bet for softer fabrics and lots of stretch. A bargain at around $20.

 Beauty

For a practical sleep bralette, it is quite pretty. It comes in this pale pink as well as the ubiquitous beige & black. I'm a sucker for the crossover styling. In theory. 

Comfort

The fabric is really nice. French terry is, as I understand it, a thicker cotton material with a flatter finish and the very minimal 'loopy' quality of terrycloth. This just feels like a substantial, very soft, cotton knit.

The straps are nice and wide and are also racer-back to spread the weight. Wasn't sure if I'd like the pressure near my neck, but it's fine and doesn't cause any irritation.  

Fit

The cup capacity is small, especially for a maternity-aimed style. 

There are regular sizes, and also 'Busty' sizes. I opted for an XL-Busty, which per their size chart, fits a 38E - 40G (US). On me, it fits like a 38F/G. 

The crossover style is - as always, for some reason - right over left. That means that my larger right boob is allowed to make a break for freedom, when it actually could use the greater containment that lefty is getting. 

The band is quite snug. I'd say it could work for 36-40 bands. The straps are very stretchy and would be much improved by tweaking the design to be double-layered or restricted stretch. They do not prevent bounce and really reduce the support. 

The shape under clothing is pretty relaxed. I've worn it out of the house under a loose woven cotton tunic where shape & lift aren't essential. It doesn't really give enough support for comfort and containment, the way that the Bali Comfort Wirefree and Leading Lady cami bralette do. (The former, I'll wear out of the house and feel quite comfy.)

Compromises

Scratchy, uncomfy seams. There is no way I could wear this without flipping it inside-out. The seam joining the band to the cups is pretty harsh and rugged. This is just not a seam I can tolerate on sensitive under-boob skin:

Crossover design/cup capacity. Looks nice on smaller cup sizes, but realistically, it's not a match with F+. Especially when combined with the lack of projection in the cup shape (those very shallow gathers don't allow for much expansion) and the overly stretchy straps. 

When Do I Wear It?

For lounging around the house under my jim-jams. It does provide enough support & separation to improve comfort and for some, it could be a good choice as a sleep bra for PMS swelling, especially if you are full-on-bottom and like a snug band. But because of the band style of snug, thick, continuous elastic, I'd be more inclined to opt for the Bali Comfort Revolution Bralette with its soft, minimal knit-in band.
Size: XL-Busty

In Which My Quest for Wire-free Bras Continues...

Yep, I'm still trying to find a reliable option that is work-friendly for those - increasingly more frequent - days when wired bras just bug me. Mostly this is due to swelling, which causes fluctuation in my cup size, which in turn causes even usually comfy underwires to dig in on the sides, or create new pressure spots. 

Bras with lots of stretch in the cup fabric definitely help (Natori Satin Fleur, Anita Twin, and to a lesser degree Wacoal Dual Control) but still, when I experience hormonally-induced swelling, the wires themselves eventually just irritate me. The fit of the bra is subtly changed in multiple ways and the wires, by their very nature, cannot adapt enough to the changes. Result: I quickly become uncomfortable. This is where you would think it would be a good idea to try a maternity style bra, which are theoretically designed to adapt to such changes. 

However. The vast majority of styles available are not actual maternity styles, but rather nursing styles featuring horrid hard plastic clips, the edges of which rub the skin raw. Seriously. What genius thought of that. The first bra of this type I tried (because it could be converted by removing the hard plastic) was an utter failure: Bravado Essential Embrace. Like a scuba suit with the all the softness of canvas. So while it's tempting to try brands like Hot Milk or Cake, with their unique plastic 'flexi-wires', the unfortunate fact is that the hard clips would ruin all other comfort features for me. Royce is known for offering both maternity & nursing styles - but they also are known for some of worst shapes ever seen in wire-free designs. Horizontal seam frumpitude extraordinaire. Like kryptonite for full-on-tops. 

So that leaves me randomly trying wire-free options that have designs that seem promising. It's a lonely road, people. The latest two attempts:

Curvy Studio Cotton Wireless Bra

If this seems familiar, that's because it is the cheaper line of Curvy Couture, made for Target. I reviewed the regular version here: Curvy Couture Cotton Luxe Wirefree. 

How does the down-market version compare? Favorably...in some ways.

Straps.  The Target version loses the awful straps of the spendy version: no ring connectors at all, and no wadded up lump of sewn fabric either. That's a pretty big improvement. That alone makes the Comfy Studio version wearable for me. They are still quite pretty with the lace edging on the inner strap. Very fine and soft, it causes zero irritation and looks great peeking out from a wide-necked top.

Shape.  A bit droopy on its own. Which the Couture version is not. This one has more projection but less lift. However, it looks reasonably good under clothing. Better than expected. Also the gore is lower on the Studio version.

Fabric. Ah, here's where they slashed their costs, resulting in a pricepoint of under $30. This is not the silky rayon/cotton blend of Curvy Couture that felt almost like bamboo. Uhhhh, no, it is not that fabric. It is a polyester heavy cotton blend. Soft-ish, but not soft. And that satiny underband? Gone. Ribbed fabric that is not soft covers it instead. Also gone is the lavish lace, replaced with much smaller token lace strips.

Band.  This is the least comfy part of the bra, and really noticeable when sitting down for any length of time. First, it runs very tight, just like Curvy Couture does. A good 2 sizes worth. Beyond that, it is extremely tall, around 6". I dislike overly tall bands, so that's not a plus for me at all. When sitting, it tends to roll & dig. At least there are no side stays. This is the usual issue that often makes underwire seem more comfy to me overall: I hate the restrictive, tall band of many wire-frees and the way they just seem to concentrate the weight of my boobs onto a narrow band of space across my chest.

When Do I Wear It?  I'm less likely to wear this for lounging around on weekends. The band just isn't comfy enough for that. But I would wear it to work, when sitting upright at a desk, rather than reclining with feet propped, renders the band reasonably comfy - well, 'neutral' is more like it. But I like it best for a more active weekend with standing/walking involved.

Size: 42G.  Because of the extremely Wacoal-tight bands, you're unlikely to be sized out. For me, this size fits like my actual size, a 38I. (I often have to sister-size to a 40H in both US & Euro styles because they usually stop at H.) The size range of the brand is great - especially for a store like Target. It starts at a 34F (which fits like a 30 in this brand) & goes up to a 44H (really a 40J)

Just My Size Super Sleek Front-Close Wire-Free Bra

This was a total fail. 

The ridiculously poorly designed ring-connector strap strikes again:

All of that seamed, wadded up fabric, plus the ring connector and strap slide clumped together in one perfect storm of 'Ow!'

Here's a view of the top of my shoulder.

All of that weight concentrated on 1/2" of skin as a single pressure point. 

Just.....Why?

I felt immediate discomfort. After less than 5 minutes - literally just long enough to take these pic - I couldn't wait to remove this bra from my body. Angry red marks had already formed where the strap sat. 


Fabric.  This was nice. Silky nylon with lots of stretch. And the front hooks provide an option for those with arthritis or shoulder injuries. 

Though I can't imagine the hook closure lying flat beneath a blouse.

Also: cleavage. You won't avoid it.

Shape. Quite decent, really. For that alone, it's a shame the bad strap design makes it totally unwearable for me. 

It might, however, be wearable for you if: you are very petite and very high-set, which would enable you to have the straps fully shortened (moving the slider away from the top of your shoulder) and causing the ring to fall further down toward your back. Also, it would help if you are full on bottom, to avoid the over-the-top wench boobs the style creates on me.

Size: 42DD (fits like a 38G)

In Which My Quest for Wire-free Bras Continues...

Yep, I'm still trying to find a reliable option that is work-friendly for those - increasingly more frequent - days when wired bras just bug me. Mostly this is due to swelling, which causes fluctuation in my cup size, which in turn causes even usually comfy underwires to dig in on the sides, or create new pressure spots. 

Bras with lots of stretch in the cup fabric definitely help (Natori Satin Fleur, Anita Twin, and to a lesser degree Wacoal Dual Control) but still, when I experience hormonally-induced swelling, the wires themselves eventually just irritate me. The fit of the bra is subtly changed in multiple ways and the wires, by their very nature, cannot adapt enough to the changes. Result: I quickly become uncomfortable. This is where you would think it would be a good idea to try a maternity style bra, which are theoretically designed to adapt to such changes. 

However. The vast majority of styles available are not actual maternity styles, but rather nursing styles featuring horrid hard plastic clips, the edges of which rub the skin raw. Seriously. What genius thought of that. The first bra of this type I tried (because it could be converted by removing the hard plastic) was an utter failure: Bravado Essential Embrace. Like a scuba suit with the all the softness of canvas. So while it's tempting to try brands like Hot Milk or Cake, with their unique plastic 'flexi-wires', the unfortunate fact is that the hard clips would ruin all other comfort features for me. Royce is known for offering both maternity & nursing styles - but they also are known for some of worst shapes ever seen in wire-free designs. Horizontal seam frumpitude extraordinaire. Like kryptonite for full-on-tops. 

So that leaves me randomly trying wire-free options that have designs that seem promising. It's a lonely road, people. The latest two attempts:

Curvy Studio Cotton Wireless Bra

If this seems familiar, that's because it is the cheaper line of Curvy Couture, made for Target. I reviewed the regular version here: Curvy Couture Cotton Luxe Wirefree. 

How does the down-market version compare? Favorably...in some ways.

Straps.  The Target version loses the awful straps of the spendy version: no ring connectors at all, and no wadded up lump of sewn fabric either. That's a pretty big improvement. That alone makes the Comfy Studio version wearable for me. They are still quite pretty with the lace edging on the inner strap. Very fine and soft, it causes zero irritation and looks great peeking out from a wide-necked top.

Shape.  A bit droopy on its own. Which the Couture version is not. This one has more projection but less lift. However, it looks reasonably good under clothing. Better than expected. Also the gore is lower on the Studio version.

Fabric. Ah, here's where they slashed their costs, resulting in a pricepoint of under $30. This is not the silky rayon/cotton blend of Curvy Couture that felt almost like bamboo. Uhhhh, no, it is not that fabric. It is a polyester heavy cotton blend. Soft-ish, but not soft. And that satiny underband? Gone. Ribbed fabric that is not soft covers it instead. Also gone is the lavish lace, replaced with much smaller token lace strips.

Band.  This is the least comfy part of the bra, and really noticeable when sitting down for any length of time. First, it runs very tight, just like Curvy Couture does. A good 2 sizes worth. Beyond that, it is extremely tall, around 6". I dislike overly tall bands, so that's not a plus for me at all. When sitting, it tends to roll & dig. At least there are no side stays. This is the usual issue that often makes underwire seem more comfy to me overall: I hate the restrictive, tall band of many wire-frees and the way they just seem to concentrate the weight of my boobs onto a narrow band of space across my chest.

When Do I Wear It?  I'm less likely to wear this for lounging around on weekends. The band just isn't comfy enough for that. But I would wear it to work, when sitting upright at a desk, rather than reclining with feet propped, renders the band reasonably comfy - well, 'neutral' is more like it. But I like it best for a more active weekend with standing/walking involved.

Size: 42G.  Because of the extremely Wacoal-tight bands, you're unlikely to be sized out. For me, this size fits like my actual size, a 38I. (I often have to sister-size to a 40H in both US & Euro styles because they usually stop at H.) The size range of the brand is great - especially for a store like Target. It starts at a 34F (which fits like a 30 in this brand) & goes up to a 44H (really a 40J)

Just My Size Super Sleek Front-Close Wire-Free Bra

This was a total fail. 

The ridiculously poorly designed ring-connector strap strikes again:

All of that seamed, wadded up fabric, plus the ring connector and strap slide clumped together in one perfect storm of 'Ow!'

Here's a view of the top of my shoulder.

All of that weight concentrated on 1/2" of skin as a single pressure point. 

Just.....Why?

I felt immediate discomfort. After less than 5 minutes - literally just long enough to take these pic - I couldn't wait to remove this bra from my body. Angry red marks had already formed where the strap sat. 


Fabric.  This was nice. Silky nylon with lots of stretch. And the front hooks provide an option for those with arthritis or shoulder injuries. 

Though I can't imagine the hook closure lying flat beneath a blouse.

Also: cleavage. You won't avoid it.

Shape. Quite decent, really. For that alone, it's a shame the bad strap design makes it totally unwearable for me. 

It might, however, be wearable for you if: you are very petite and very high-set, which would enable you to have the straps fully shortened (moving the slider away from the top of your shoulder) and causing the ring to fall further down toward your back. Also, it would help if you are full on bottom, to avoid the over-the-top wench boobs the style creates on me.

Size: 42DD (fits like a 38G)

Deodorants for sensitive skin: underarms & underboobs - reviews & a recipe

I believe I've mentioned my sensitive skin, prone to rashes, eczema & now, rosacea. So my latest Princess & the Pea adventure started like this: 5 months ago I became inexplicably unable to tolerate the fairly gentle Dove deodorant I've used for the last decade. It has the same active ingredient as 90% of anti-perspirants do, but a good 20% less of it than almost any other brand. Did I mention I learned this after purchasing a 5-pack of said Dove from Costco? Because, of course. 
 
So began my quest to find a deodorant/anti-perspirant without Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly. 

Let me just say here that, although I am fairly crunchy - I've been a vegetarian for 20 years & hate plastic bags - some stuff just has to work. Among those things for me are toilet paper (I won't be giving up Charmin anytime soon), laundry detergent (no thanks, 7th Generation, even though I love your cardboard bottle), and deodorant. I've tried several natural brands over the years, from Tom's of Maine (perpetually sticky) to Aubrey (kind of sting-y) to the liquid Crystal roll-on (literally hours to dry). 

And they all had one thing in common: they simply did not work. Not for me. Not for longer than about 4 hours. Mayyyybe. That is just not acceptable. Not in a professional setting - hell, not even sitting alone on my sofa.

I should stop here & explain what I mean by 'unable to tolerate' normal deodorants anymore. I mean I developed a reaction well beyond a rash: large red sections of irritated skin across my armpits that developed into actual scabs. (Apologies for that TMI, but you'll understand my desperation when I realized I could no longer use the gentlest effective product I've found - & all known alternatives sucked.)

I did lots of research and quickly determined that I did not want to risk a product with baking soda, as most negative experiences were related to that ingredient, complete with some painful looking review pics on amazon similar to what I described. Unfortunately, the vast majority of crunchy products contain baking soda. 

I ordered one from etsy that did not, and actually came in a stick form. It was not a success. It had the texture of candle wax and the 'Jamaican Vanilla Bean' smelled like car air freshener on me; it felt tacky and coated on the skin. Fail.

Then I realized that I could just try making my own. I do make my own hair & skin cream from coconut oil - a mainstay of most recipes - and I had come to the conclusion that I really prefer a cream product rather than a wet roll-on or a sticky gel. And surprisingly....it worked! Very well indeed. And it is cheap as dirt. I have not had a reaction in the 4 months I've used it. 

I also found two other alternatives that work incredibly well. Here they are:

I'll start with the one in the center. This is my every day go-to now. The other two are for when I want something a little stronger.

What I love about the homemade recipe:

• I scoop out a pea-sized daub of cream, hold it against my skin for 2 seconds, whereupon it instantly melts and can be rubbed in thoroughly and easily. 
• It dries to a velvety soft finish very quickly.
• There is zero caking. I can top it with body powder - still no caking. Ever. 
• No need to wash your hands! Stay with me here. The only difference between this deodorant and a body cream recipe is the greater amount of corn starch. Nothing icky that needs to be washed off. I just really like that.
• It can be used under the boobs to protect delicate skin from friction and keep things cool & dry.
• Coconut has natural properties that are pretty great: it is inherently mildly both anti-bacterial & anti-fungal. 
• The protection usually lasts me all day. It can be easily reapplied if you wish. (See no-caking, ever, above)

Here's the basic recipe. It can be customized in many ways:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup corn starch

20 drops essential oil (or extract) of your choice. 

      (I usually use neroli (bitter orange flower). It has an earthy green edge that cuts the sweetness of regular orange blossom. It also has properties that mend tiny capillaries, a big part of sensitive skin issues and redness.)

Melt the coconut oil until very soft, but not totally liquid (it doesn't matter if you do, but it's easier to work with if you don't). Mix in the corn starch. Use a fork or spoon until blended. Add in the oil or extract. Stir until smooth.

That's it. You're done. Or, you can customize it to your exact liking.

To tweak the texture:

• If you want to use an electric beater after the fork (don't do it at the beginning because the light-as-air corn starch will fly into the air) it will make the final product lighter and more whipped in texture, and it will also increase it in size since you're whipping air into it, so you'll need a bigger container.

•  I live in a cold climate, so the coconut never ever liquifies. I mean, ever. Because it never goes above 72F here and the stuff liquifies at 75F. So I add 1 T of grapeseed or avocado oil to keep the mixture softer, otherwise it would form a solid balm (which is how most of the products for sale are) which you have to scrape out with the back of your fingernail. I prefer not. So a tablespoon of oil makes it a soft, thick cream.

• Add a little more cornstarch. It gives a more velvety texture and a nice dry finish.

To increase the strength:

• Add a capsule of powdered probiotics. Basically, the idea here is to outweigh bad bacteria with good.

• Add a pinch of baking soda. Start small. See if it agrees with you. 

• Substitute a portion of the corn starch with arrowroot or clay.

• Use stronger antiseptic essential oils that are commonly found in these recipes, but that I personally dislike the scent of (in my skin care): lavender, tea tree, rosemary, frankincense, peppermint, cedar.

To customize the scent: do anything you want!

•  I like the tangy floral of neroli, so that is my usual default scent. But this month, along with the neroli I added 5 drops of sandalwood and 1/4 tsp of almond extract (alcohol-based extracts also help with preservative, though you don't really need that since the recipe lasts one month).

• Coconut will be a part of any scent you create, but it fades into the background and becomes more of a base note.

• Use regular kitchen extracts if you don't like essential oils, don't want to spend the $$, or just love foodie scents: vanilla & almond work really well here. The one thing I would add is that I would be cautious with extracts that are not alcohol-based. E.g. I tried a buttercream extract in a body cream recipe....and came back to find the glycerin base had caused the coconut oil cream to  implode into a bubbling soup texture.

• For sensitive skin, some good essential oil options include: rose, orange blossom, sandalwood, neroli, chamomile, frankincense, lavender.

 

Next up: Tussy

This brand has been around since 1925. That's right. You, too, can feel like a flapper. A 21st century flapper with sensitive skin. 

I remember when I lived in England in the early-90s my elderly neighbor - who had lived through the London Blitz - swore by Tussy. With my American devotion to Secret, I took no notice. Until years later, and the Great Deodorant Crisis of 2017, I came across this on amazon during my research. And remembered fondly.

Tussy contains Aluminum Chlorohydrate, which is a much gentler version of the ingredient used in more modern products. So it is actually an anti-perspirant as well. As such, it will give stronger protection than the homemade recipe above. This is what I used for my wedding in Las Vegas. I was wearing a velvet dress and just wanted to jack up my coverage.

Things to note:

• Tussy has my favorite texture of the 3 products I use. It is a light, whipped cream and a very small amount blends in easily. 

• No caking. Powder away!

• It has the most unique scent for a woman's deodorant I've ever encountered: Cloves! Not sweet, not floral, not powdery, not 'fresh'-  but the gentle, warm, spicy scent of clove.

• You definitely need to wash this off your hands. And this is the only one of the 3 that is not appropriate for under-boob use. 

• Very economical. Around $5.00. Some stores still carry it, and of course, amazon.

 

Next up: Yodora

This one comes from the 1940s. And it works. Well. Really well. Better than any modern actual anti-perspirant I've tried. It is the most effective of the 3 products here and works even into the next day. With zero aluminum. It's a weird kind of magic. Especially when you consider that.....

This stuff is basically Desitin diaper cream. Not. Even. Kidding. It's pretty much a combo of Vaseline (moisture barrier), zinc oxide (the old white-nose sunscreen stuff), and boric acid (gentle enough to be used in eye drops).

• It works shockingly well, while being very gentle.

• The scent is not my favorite: very sweet & powdery, and well, a little 'old lady'. But it doesn't linger & isn't strong.

• The texture also isn't my favorite. It's...well, just like baby butt cream: greasy and thick and opaque. But you only need a very small amount. Still, it's got a very ointment-type feel to it, and it has a tacky, heavy feel that takes a long while to really absorb. It's very dry and smooth by the end of the day, though. And it is still working, well into the next day.

• The zinc oxide has strong antiseptic (as well as sunscreen) properties. There's good reason it features heavily in diaper creams. Along with the Vaseline, it provides a strong barrier against irritation - & sweat. 

• Highly appropriate under the boobs, though does not have the silky feel and velvety finish of the coconut oil recipe.

• A bargain at $7.

This gives an idea of the different textures of the 3 creams: 

Tussy: light whipped cream
Coconut oil: cream-paste
Yodora: thick cream-ointment
 




I am thrilled with each of these products. My own recipe meets my needs 80% of the time. I love that I can make a 2 oz jar, customized to my exact tastes, in 10 minutes, that will last me at least one month. And cost me around 50 cents in high quality ingredients.

But the other 2 products have earned a place in my bathroom cabinet as well.

I enjoy the light texture and scent of Tussy, and it is very travel friendly. No need to worry about temperature changes that will affect the recipe cream. 

And if I need serious protection that lasts 24+ hours, I will absolutely reach for Yodora. It works better than Dove or any other commercial modern product I've tried. This would also be very effective for chub-rub in a beach situation. I mean, it even has sunscreen & antiseptic built in. 

What has been really amazing to me is just how well the products of my grandmother's era have held up. I mean, they just plain work! With no ill effects or fancy packaging. In the end, the product that is almost one century old, is what I wore for my own wedding in 2017. And the product from WWII is still more effective, and less toxic, than the 21st century options. And my favorite is made from a tropical product used for many more generations in the island nations of the Pacific.
 
So there you have it: options. Hopefully this helps someone else & spares them some frustration and exhaustive research.